St John Ambulance Australia SA Inc. Annual Report 2018-2019

St John Ambulance Australia SA Inc Annual Report 2018/19 29

OPERATIONS COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Further advances in the training and accreditation areas have increased not only the knowledge and skills of volunteers but also increased our capacity as an organisation to better serve the community. In November 2018 we were very pleased to welcome The Honourable Andrew McLachlan MLC, President of the Legislative Council as President of Operations Branch of St John SA. Andrew has previously held positions on the St John Board as both Chair and Treasurer and brings with him a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors and is well placed to promote the activities and benefits of the Operations Branch to Government Agencies, Corporate Entities and Community Leaders. Further, in December 2018 we were thrilled to welcome Ian McGeachie as the new State Superintendent. Ian’s dedication as a volunteer and contributions made through leadership positions within St John have been apparent for many years, and exemplified more than ever in his new role. Event Health and Medical Services The 2018/19 financial year proved to be yet another busy one for first aid coverage at a vast array of events across the state. In total, Operations members provided vital first aid at 2,103 events, treated a staggering 20,936 patients (a 10% increase on last year), contributed 83,316 duty hours, and spent 23,485 hours undertaking training and assessment tasks, ensuring they were always at the forefront of first aid best practice. Both local and state events continued to be covered, from local netball games and school sports days to iconic annual events like the Tour Down Under, Adelaide 500, ANZAC Day Dawn Service events, Royal Adelaide Show, and the Westpac City-Bay Fun Run, to name but a few. A number of volunteer divisions were excited to receive fleet upgrades to new Hiace Mobile First Aid Units, as the vehicle replacement strategy continued to roll out. Members have taken great pride in setting up these mobile treatment centres at events, reflecting the organisation’s modern approach to Event Health Services. Emergency Preparedness and support for SA Ambulance Service (SAAS)

Throughout the 2018/19 financial year St John continued to play its part in the State Emergency Management Plan. We supported the Ambulance and First Aid Functional Service by attending emergencies at two significant fires at the request of the lead agency, SA Ambulance Service. In addition, St John provided support to SA Ambulance Service in its day-to-day operations by providing non- emergency patient transport services in a surge capacity as needed. Member Engagement in St John SA Strategy Consultations with a number of divisions continued as developments were made with the Metropolitan Property Strategy in preparation for St John Centre upgrades. Cadets and Youth Development In October 2018 we were fortunate to welcome Thomas Theel to the role of State Cadet and Youth Officer. In this same period, the Cadet and Youth Engagement Review chaired by Noel Hender delivered their report as part of the Strategic Plan. We thank Noel and the participants of the Review for their time and objectivity when preparing their report. During 2018/19 Thomas Theel and the Cadet and Youth Engagement Team have implemented a number of recommendations arising from that report, together with the recommendations of a report from Childwise in relation to the safety of the young people within our organisation. We also congratulate our youth members who successfully competed at the State Competitions in August 2018 and were recognised for their leadership, including: • Youth Leader of the Year – Emma Guthberlet • Cadet of the Year – Gurtej Sohal • Junior of the Year – Lakshan Rajkumar The winning teams at the State Competitions in 2018/19 went on to compete at National Competitions in Victoria

in January 2019. It was very exciting to hear of our Senior Team placing third nationally, comprised of Mitcham Colonel

Light Gardens Division Cadets Judd Woolman, Celine Kohler and Alice Porter. Cadet individual competitor Erin Hood, from West Torrens, and Cadet Leader Gemma Todd, from Whyalla, also competed at the event. Congratulations to you all for representing St John SA so well. We were also thrilled to hear that two of our youth members received recognition on a national stage – Nick Hughes of Unley Division received the Norma Bell National Youth Leader Award, and Alecia Sheedy was named a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for the Regional Service Award. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all volunteers, as well as the hard-working senior management team and salaried staff, supported and guided by the dedicated Board, for giving their time and expertise so generously to deliver this outstanding service to the South Australian community.

Peter Jackson CStJ Commissioner

It has been another exciting year for Operations within St John SA, as the organisation yet again retained its position as the leading Event Health Services provider in South Australia.